Device for adjustment of a backrest inclination

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for adjustment of the backrest inclination for a backrest ( 1 ) of a seat, in particular in a motor vehicle, whereby the backrest ( 1 ) is connected to a rotating locking device ( 2 ). Said device may be locked in defined lock positions ( 3, 4, 5, 6 ) for adjustment of the inclination, by means of a locking element ( 7 ) which may be positionally adjusted, whereby the locking element ( 7 ) may be placed in a defined spatial position, by means of at least one operating mechanism ( 10, 11, 12, 13 ), such that it is in a position to be locked in only a partial number of the possible locking positions (claim 1). A defined adjustment of the inclination is thus achievable in a simple manner.

[0001] The invention relates to a device for the adjustment of the backrest inclination according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The object of the present invention is to provide a device in which defined backrest inclinations can be adjusted in simple manner.

[0003] This is achieved according to the invention through a device having the features of claim 1.

[0004] The device according to the invention has a rotatable detent locking means which is connected to the backrest. In order to adjust the backrest inclination the detent locking means can be locked in defined detent positions by a locking element which is adjustable in position. The locking element can thereby be brought into a defined spatial position by means of at least one operating mechanism such that it in one position can be locked in only a partial number of the possible locking positions.

[0005] Different inclines of the backrest can be readily controlled by matching the defined detent locking positions and the defined positions of the detent locking means.

[0006] Advantageous developments of the invention are provided in the claims relating back to claim 1.

[0007] The invention will now be explained in further detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings in which:

[0008]FIG. 1 shows a side view (drive direction to the right) of a device for adjusting the backrest incline;

[0009]FIG. 2 shows a side view (drive direction to the left) of the device for adjusting the backrest incline;

[0010]FIG. 3 shows a side view according to FIG. 2 showing a breakdown of the elements;

[0011]FIG. 4 shows a side view similar to FIG. 1 with the device in a first operating position prior to locking the backrest;

[0012]FIG. 5 shows a side view according to FIG. 4 with the device in the first operating position after locking the backrest;

[0013]FIG. 6 shows a side view similar to FIG. 1 with the device in a second operating position prior to locking the backrest;

[0014]FIG. 7 shows a side view according to FIG. 6 with the device in the second operating position after locking the backrest;

[0015]FIG. 8 shows a side view similar to FIG. 1 with the device in a third operating position prior to locking the backrest;

[0016]FIG. 9 shows a side view according to FIG. 8 with the device in the third operating position after locking the backrest;

[0017]FIG. 10 shows a side view similar to FIG. 1 with the device in a fourth operating position prior to locking the backrest;

[0018]FIG. 11 shows a side view according to FIG. 10 with the device in the fourth operating position after locking the backrest;

[0019]FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention in the unlocked first operating position (similar to FIG. 4);

[0020]FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the embodiment according to FIG. 12 in the unlocked second operating position (similar to FIG. 6);

[0021]FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the embodiment according to FIG. 12 in the locked second operating position (similar to FIG. 7);

[0022]FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of the embodiment according to FIG. 12 in the unlocked third operating position (similar to FIG. 8);

[0023]FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the embodiment according to FIG. 12 in the unlocked fourth operating position (similar to FIG. 10);

[0024] FIGS. 17 to 20 show perspective views of the device according to the invention mounted in a seat structure.

[0025]FIG. 1 shows in a side view a device for adjusting the incline of a backrest 1 in a motor vehicle. The backrest 1 which is shown diagrammatically is thereby part of a seat (not shown here). The part of the seat is thereby a side part 50 which can be moved forwards and backwards horizontally (right to left in FIG. 1). In FIG. 1 it is assumed that a person seated on the seat is looking to the right in the drive direction.

[0026] The device according to the invention is here to be shown using the example of a backrest 1 in a van where the device has the task of adjusting the backrest 1 in four definable positions. Basically the invention relates however to any adjustment of generally more than two positions of the backrest 1.

[0027] For this according to the invention there is a detent locking means which is here formed as a cam disc 2 with four recess 3, 4, 5, 6.

[0028] The backrest 1 is connected eccentrically to the cam disc 2 through a connector 16 so that swivel movement of the backrest is converted into a rotational movement of the cam disc 2.

[0029] The cam disc 2 has here four recesses 3, 4, 5, 6 which can be brought into engagement with a locking bolt 7 on a locking lever 8 which is pretensioned with spring force (see FIGS. 4 to 11). The recesses 3, 4, 5, 6 thereby correspond to different inclines of the backrest 1.

[0030]FIG. 1 shows a third operating position (see also FIGS. 8, 9) used to explain the interaction of the individual component parts.

[0031] The third operating position relates to an “easy entry” function of a seat where climbing into the back of the vehicle is to be made easier. The backrest 1 is thereby folded relatively far forwards and sliding the seat forwards is also possible.

[0032] Sliding the seat forwards thereby becomes possible by a cam 17 of the cam disc 2 actuating an articulated lever chain 31, 32, 33. The articulated lever chain 31, 32, 33 consists of three articulated levers which are each able to swivel about a rotary point.

[0033] In the illustrated operating position the cam 17 presses a first articulated lever 31 which is pretensioned against same in an anti-clockwise direction. A second articulated lever 32 which is connected rotatable to one end of the first articulated lever 31 is thereby swivelled clockwise.

[0034] At the end of the second articulated lever 32 which is opposite the connection between the first and second articulated levers the second articulated lever 32 is connected rotatably to a third articulated lever 33. The clockwise rotation of the second articulated lever 32 results in the anti-clockwise swivel movement of the third articulated lever 33.

[0035] At the free end of the third articulated lever 33 is a hook which can be locked with a fixed part of the motor vehicle. This is shown diagrammatically as an opening in FIG. 1. The hook is drawn out from the opening through the aforementioned swivel movement of the third articulated lever 33 so that the locking action is released and the seat becomes adjustable.

[0036] The force transfer from the cam disc 2 to a locking means (e.g. a hook) can alternatively be produced through a Bowden cable.

[0037] A series of component parts are used for controlling the locking bolt 7 relative to the four recesses 3, 4, 5, 6.

[0038] A first rotational element 11 is mounted rotatable on the same shaft as the cam disc 2.

[0039] The first rotational element 11 has a hooked follower 15 which can transfer a force to a second rotational element 10 lying between the cam disc 2 and the first rotational element 11. The second rotational element 10 is only visible in part in FIG. 1 and has substantially the shape of a large “L”. The second rotational element 10 is also mounted on the same shaft as the cam disc 2.

[0040] The rotational elements 10, 11 and the lever (not shown here) are operating mechanisms for the locking bolt 7 whereby the lever can be operated independently of the rotational elements.

[0041] The first rotational element 11 has a first Bowden cable fixing point 13 on which a first Bowden cable (not shown here) is fixed. If this first Bowden cable is pulled then the first rotational element 11 is moved clockwise. The first rotational element 11 is in any case designed so that the rotational movement can only be executed up to a certain angle. After moving in the clockwise direction a part of the first rotational element 11 namely strikes against a stop 20 which is mounted on a component part which is not shown here (the stop 20 is for reasons of clarity not shown any more in the following figures). This stop 20 defines an end position for the rotation of the first rotational element 11.

[0042] The second rotational element 10 has on the short side of the large “L” a second Bowden cable fixing point 12 at which a second Bowden cable (not shown here) is fixed. If this Bowden cable is pulled then the second rotational element 10 is moved in the clockwise direction.

[0043] The long side of the L-shaped second rotational element 10 has a cam which engages with a slide guide 9 of the locking lever 8. The locking lever 8 is substantially L-shaped whereby the locking bolt 7 is mounted on the short side. The locking lever 8 is mounted for swivel movement at the end of its long side.

[0044] If the second rotational element 10 is swivelled clockwise then the cam which is in engagement with the slide guide 9 executes a rotational movement which is converted by means of the slide guide 9 into a rotational movement of the locking lever 8 in the clockwise direction. This rotational movement leads in turn to the locking bolt 7 being engaged or disengaged from one of the recesses. A clockwise swivel movement thereby leads to disengagement; an anti-clockwise swivel movement thereby leads to engagement.

[0045] The first recess 3 and the second recess 4 are brought into or out of engagement with the locking bolt 7 through a lever (not shown here).

[0046]FIGS. 2 and 3 show the device for adjusting the backrest inclination from the other side of the seat (drive direction to the left in FIGS. 2 and 3). The locking bolt 7 is thereby shown engaged in the first recess 3.

[0047] According to the invention the locking bolt 7 can be moved in a defined way so that it can only come into engagement with the associated recesses 3, 4, 5, 6 in a predeterminable manner. Operating elements not shown here such as handles, levers, etc thereby ensure that the locking bolt 7 is each time moved over a certain path and/or angle so that during manual swivelling of the backrest 1 a certain backrest incline, i.e. operating position can be controlled and locked.

[0048] The first operating position (see FIG. 4, 5) is associated with the first recess 3. In the first operating position the backrest 1 is inclined relatively far backwards.

[0049] The second operating position (see FIGS. 6, 7) is associated with the second recess 4. In this operating position the backrest is disposed somewhat steeper.

[0050] The third operating position (see FIG. 8, 9) relates to the “easy entry” function as explained above.

[0051] The fourth operating position (see FIGS. 10, 11) relates to the horizontal arrangement of the backrest 1 so that the back of the backrest 1 can be used as a table.

[0052] In FIGS. 4 to 20 the same component parts are given the same reference numerals as used in FIG. 1 so that reference can be made to the description thereof.

[0053] The cam disc 2 has a complex stepped external contour which is matched to the defined position changes of the locking bolt 7. The steps of the external contour are thereby each formed by side faces 24, 25, 26 of the recesses 4, 5, 6 which are longer in the radial direction than the opposite side face of the recess 4, 5, 6.

[0054] The second side face 24 of the second recess 24 is slightly longer in the radial direction than the first side face 23 of the first recess and the opposite side face of the second recess 24. The second side face forms a stop for the locking bolt 7.

[0055] In FIG. 4 the locking bolt 7 is swivelled by a lever about a certain angle so that the cam disc 2 can rotate in a likewise certain angular region underneath the locking bolt 7.

[0056] On operating the lever the locking bolt 7 is disengaged so far that it can move up to the second side face 24 and then strike against same (see FIG. 6).

[0057] Thus by operating the lever the user can choose between the first operating position and the second operating position; the locking bolt 7 can be engaged in the first recess 3 (see FIG. 5) or the second recess 4 (see FIG. 7).

[0058] If the user wants to select the “easy entry” position of the backrest and seat then in the present embodiment he operates the second Bowden cable which is mounted at the second Bowden fixing point 12 of the second rotational element 10.

[0059] Through the aforementioned swivel movement of the second rotational element 10 the locking bolt 7 is swivelled radially through the sliding mechanism of the locking lever 8 relative to the cam disc 2 so that it can pass just up to the third recess 5. The side face 25 of the third recess 5 in turn projects radially slightly beyond the edge so that this projection serves as a stop for the locking bolt 7 (see FIG. 8). The locking bolt 7 is engaged in the third recess 5 in the detent locking action (see FIG. 9).

[0060] Opposite the recess 5 lies the cam 17 of the cam disc 2 which as described above operates the articulated lever chain 31, 32, 33 so that in this position of the cam disc 2 the seat is able to slide forwards. The combination of the backrest folded forward with the seat pushed forward enables easier entry into the vehicle (easy entry).

[0061] Through the operation of the second rotational element 10 the locking bolt 7 is swivelled radially further outwards through the slide mechanism of the locking lever 8 relative to the cam disc (FIG. 10) so that it can overcome the step of the side face 25 and can pass up to the fourth recess 6. In this position the backrest 1 can be brought into a horizontal position so that it can be used as a table. In this position the locking bolt 7 can be locked with the fourth recess 6 (see FIG. 11).

[0062] An embodiment of the device according to the invention with a cam disc 2 with four recesses 3, 4, 5, 6 (i.e. four operating positions) was described here.

[0063] Basically more than four recesses can also be arranged on the cam disc 2 in order to enable a larger number of operating positions. Thus for example two different “easy-entry” positions can be defined. The detent locking means 2 can also have instead of recesses radially protruding teeth which would be a type of negative image of the cam disc 2 with recesses.

[0064] Also the detent locking means need not be designed disc-shaped. Alternatively it could be cylindrical whereby the individual steps of the detent locks are formed by a radial staircase like structure lockable in the axial direction by a detent locking element.

[0065] FIGS. 12 to 20 show perspective views of an embodiment of the device according to the invention. The same components are used as in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 11 so that reference is made to the above description. The equivalent operating positions to those shown in FIGS. 12 to 20 are given in the list of drawings provided above.

[0066] The invention is not restricted in its design to the preferred embodiments given above. Rather a number of variations is possible which use the device according to the invention even in fundamentally different designs. 

1. Device for adjusting the backrest inclination of a backrest (1) of a seat, more particularly in a motor vehicle wherein the backrest (1) is connected to a rotatable detent locking means (2) which in order to adjust the backrest inclination can be locked in defined detent locking positions (3, 4, 5, 6) by a detent locking element (7) which can be adjusted in its position, wherein the detent locking element (7) can be brought at least through an operating mechanism (10, 11, 12, 13) into a defined spatial position such that it in one position can be locked in only a partial number of the possible detent locking positions.
 2. Device according to claim 1 characterised in that the position of the detent locking element (7) can be changed through at least two operating mechanisms (10, 11, 12, 13) which can be operated independently of each other.
 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the detent locking means (2) are shaped so that they have at least one stop (24, 25) for the detent locking element (7) in a certain position and the detent locking element (7) in this specific position can be locked only in a partial number of the detent positions (3, 4, 5, 6).
 4. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the detent locking means (2) are disc shaped whereby the detent locking element (7) can be locked in radially arranged recesses (3, 4, 5 6).
 5. Device according to claim 5 characterised in that at least one side face (23, 24, 25, 26) of the recess (3, 4, 5 6) is formed radially longer in order to form a stop (24, 25) for the detent locking element (7).
 6. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the detent locking means (2) are formed substantially as a toothed wheel wherein at least one tooth is longer or shorter than the other teeth.
 7. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the detent locking means (2) are formed cylindrical and have a concentric circumferential structure for axially engaging with a detent locking element (7).
 8. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the detent locking means (2) have a release means, more particularly a cam (17) or Bowden cable connection through which in the event of a predetermined incline of the backrest (1) the locking of the horizontal adjustment of the seat is released and/or locked automatically.
 9. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the detent locking element (7) is formed as a bolt on a swivel locking lever (8).
 10. Device according to claim 9 characterised in that the position of the detent locking element (7) can be changed by swivelling the locking lever (8) in a certain angular region.
 11. Device according to claim 9 or 10 characterised in that the locking lever (8) has a slide guide (9) for connecting with at least one operating mechanism (10, 11, 12, 13). 